Here you’ll find news on event cancellations, cafe closures, and what the industry is doing to do its part in these unprecedented times. Stay safe y’all, and wipe down your phone.
3:00 PM PST March 11, 2020
The Paris Cafe Festival has announced a postponement. Originally set to take place March 20-22, it will now take place June 5-7.
Sprudge contributor and multi-year Sprudgie Award nominee Jenn Chen is asking big questions today on Twitter about the 2020 SCA Expo, still *currently* scheduled for April.
I would love to know what *we* can do- either as attendees or exhibitors- to encourage a move to cancel or postpone. Do you need more voices? Cancelations? If anyone at SCA wants to backchannel me, my DMs are open. https://t.co/JpC8rcQTQV
— Jenn Chen (@thejennchen) March 11, 2020
You should watch this video from Manhattan restaurateur Danny Meyer, author of Setting The Table and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group (whose properties include Joe Coffee Company).
There’s no existing playbook for how a restaurant should respond to COVID-19, and so any time there’s even a trace of doubt about the safety of a team member or guest, you can always rely upon us to act with utmost caution. My message to our staff here: https://t.co/h6syv2XUCA
— Danny Meyer (@dhmeyer) March 11, 2020
2:30 PM PST March 11, 2020
World Health Organization declares a global pandemic.
From the CDC: “Keeping Workplaces, Homes, Schools, or Commercial Establishments Safe” [pdf]
New safety protocols:
We’re adding to our safety protocols so we can stay healthy while providing you your coffee. pic.twitter.com/lD6XgGLpPG
— Wrecking Ball Coffee (@Wrecking_Ball) March 11, 2020
Upcoming events:
UK: London Coffee Festival postponed until July 23-26.
USA: SCA Expo in Portland, OR scheduled as planned April 21 – 26
The Specialty Coffee Association Expo in Portland, Oregon expects up to ~14,000 attendees including ~3,600 international attendees next month.
IKAWA announces it will no longer participate at SCA Expo:
With a heavy heart we have reached the decision to postpone our participation at Expo Portland in April. In this case, sharing is not caring – full statement here. https://t.co/U75GzbCqfr
— IKAWA Coffee (@IKAWAcoffee) March 11, 2020
Germany: German Barista Finals postponed
Australia: Melbourne International Coffee Expo / World Barista Championship scheduled as planned May 4 – 7
UAE: Coffee People Dubai postponed.
Closures:
Italy: Ditta Artigianle announces closures in Florence. Country orders all shops close.
Travel:
Guatemala: EU travelers banned as of March 11, 2020
Have an update for us? Contact us here.